I love the guy but he does wear out his welcome a bit. But he knows how to manage, would take a lot of the media attention off of the players’ shoulders and has won.

I think it’s just what they need. Then hire Duncan and move forward…

People scream and get emotional but tickets still sell. I remember all the threats after the 2007 collapse, and lo and behold the Mets sold more tickets in 2008. The only thing that will remain relevant going into 2010 will be the state of the economy which is likely to be weak, whereas people were locked in early last year, this year they won’t be. And I don’t anticipate some mass revolt. They might sell a few less packages upfront, but if they win, they will sell those seats, if they lose they wont. The math is simple in that department.

Anywho that would be spectacular if he did come. Also if he did i’d be inclined to sign Joel Pinerio to a contract like what was mentioned on MLBTR 15 mil over 2 years. That’s not a bad salary for what could be the #4 or #5 pitcher then. If Duncan signs i think Joel could keep up his success form this year. Johan, Lackey, Pineiro, Pelf, Perez.

Dave Duncan. I’m skeptical that he’ll leave the Cardinals. St. Louis’ pitching coach and his manager, Tony La Russa, have worked side by side for 27 years. But Duncan did voice his displeasure about the way the Cardinals treated his son, Chris, this past season, and as the linked St. Louis Post-Dispatch story notes, Duncan no longer works in conjunction with the Cardinals’ developmental staff on pitching.

Duncan will be busy for a while yet, what with the Cardinals heading into the playoffs. Yet that shouldn’t stop the Mets from sending messages through discreet intermediaries that they would LOVE to have him on their staff in 2010 and beyond.

And, once the Cardinals finish their postseason, whether in a week or in a month, the Mets should blow away Duncan with an offer befitting his experience and accomplishments; it’s believed that he and Texas’ Mike Maddux make in the $600,000 range, so topping that by even 50 percent would be nothing compared to player investments. And all evidence points to Duncan having a significant impact on the pitching staff that he receives.

I think you are wrong.

Last season, Mets benefited by record setting sales prior to the start of the season. Mets were able to enjoy that due to a still positive out look for the Mets and a new stadium.

In 2010, the Mets are face with the following:

(i) stadium is not new. fans know that seats are over prices. fans know that sighlines are flawed in the stadium. fans know that stadium is filled with amenities that most fans do not care about yet have to pay for because its part of the ticket price. This is a negative.

(ii) Mets stink in 2009. Without wholesale changes over the winter, prospects will be uncertain at best and negative at worst. it does not help that many of the hurt players were unable to come back at the end of the season to prove they will not only be healthy in 2010 but can also perform at expected levels. We are talking about Reyes, Beltran (still not right), Wright (still not right in the head), Delgado (probably was not going to come back anyway), Santana.

If the Mets think that fans will flood the box office like lemmings they are misstaken. Mets need to show fans that they will SPEND THE MONEY or else the fans wont fork it over (and that also means spending it right). Whether Mets are willing to spend what it takes to make this team relevant, whether Omar can pick the right player (assuming Wilpons open the purse strings) and assuming Jerry can manage them (assuming Omar acquires them) … only if all that occurs, then they are in trouble.

Don’t forget a lot of full season ticket holders by prior to opening day, but intend only to hit 20-30 games and that means planning on selling 50-60 games. If the market in 2010 for tickets resembles the last two months in 2009, then season ticket holders will take a blood bath in losses.

The economy may recover enough to entice corporate buyers to purchase plans, but if the Yankees win the WS while the Mets do nothing, I suspect the bulk of the corporate buyers will purchase from the Bronx.